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Writer's pictureDinah Vincent

#oneword365: flexible

2020 was the first year I joined #oneword365. It was easy—I simply chose a word to inform the focus of my year. I chose #enjoy.


The title of this blog gives the game away on this year's word.


Before I delve into that, a quick report on #enjoy. It proved to be slightly more challenging than expected!


The goals I set were to enjoy simple pleasures, enjoy freedom of choice (to persist or move on), and to enjoy learning.


In the end, #enjoy worked as a reference point for me in the topsy-turvy year that 2020 turned out to be. I used it when my threshold for change and uncertainty was close to being breached. I paid more attention to what I was doing and noticed what I really did enjoy. And I really aced the simple pleasures: magnolia buds, finishing a workshop activity in perfect time for a scheduled break, the softness of the dog's ears.

Miniature poodle with tongue out.
Those ears! Photo by adoring owner.

Why #flexible?

Because 2020 made it clear to me that being flexible is an essential skill for mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.


In 2021, I want to cultivate flexibility of mind, to really challenge myself to see things from different perspectives and to use different sources of information. Learning is a default position for me, but I want to take a more flexible approach to what I learn, how I learn, and who I look to for knowledge.


I've already taken action on being more flexible physically. Shut Up & Dance has been a weekly episode of madness in my life for a while now. And this year I've committed to two classes a week to improve both fitness and flexibility.


How will being flexible help my emotional wellbeing? Well, it was easy to state that learning is a default position. It is less easy to state that anger and irritation can be default emotions. #flexible reminds me of the range of emotional responses available to me, and 2021 is the year to explore some of the more subtle ones!


I'll keep you posted on progress.


Woman lying on floor stretching fingertips to feet
Not me! Photo by Clarissa Carbungco on Unsplash.

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